We would like to welcome the newest member of our team, intern Richard Duffy. A 2013 graduate of Ridgefield High School, he was captain of the cross country and outdoor track teams, winner of the Lodestar literary award for prose writing, and achieved senior recognition for excellence in Chinese. After the summer, he will attend the Stern School of Business at New York University, focusing in finance and Mandarin Chinese. He currently works on web presence and marketing.
Read more here for up-to-the-minute statistics about Ridgefield’s Real Estate Market.
Read here for up-to-the-minute statistics about Ridgefield’s Real Estate Market:
It was an early morning celebration at the Annual Ridgefield Visiting Nurse Association Spring Breakfast this morning at The Amber Colonade in Danbury. The breakfast served to bring people together to support a cause bigger than themselves, while providing some light-hearted ribbing as pillars of the community delivered coffee and juice to their friends and neighbors. But above all, the event served to raise critical funds for the organization. After some moving speeches and rowdy auctioneering, the morning adjourned at around 9:30am and was a resounding success!
In today’s healthcare, it is becoming increasingly apparent that home care services, and preventative and rehabilitative services, are of the utmost importance. Few us can say we don’t know of someone affected by a long (or short) term disability requiring rehab. Founded in 1914, the RVNA is a private, non-profit organization dedicated to providing exceptional home and community health services, and supporting public health and safety. Last year RVNA provided 36,802 home care visits, 3574 vaccines, 136 free rides for seniors or those requiring transportation, and put in over 4667 volunteer hours. In addition, the organization offered rehabilitation services, paraprofessional care, medical alert services, care solutions, community health services, travel clinics for those headed abroad, pediatric services, and public health and safety solutions to those most in need.
I wholeheartedly support their wonderful work and I hope you will too. To find out more about the organization, visit the RVNA website.
So, you want to sell your home quickly? Then you’d better get staging. One of the most important parts of getting your home ready for the market is making it look like it just stepped out of the pages of a Pottery Barn catalogue. Stop looking at your home through your sentimental eyes and start thinking like a buyer. Would you want to see a picture wall full of kids you don’t know, or a fresh coat of neutral paint that allows you to imagine what a great picture wall you could hang in that space? Here are some quick ways you can spruce up each of the most important rooms in your home and make buyers say “how much?”
Overall – one of the most common problems we encounter is that there is simply too much ‘stuff’ in the home. In general, we recommend moving excess seating, toys, clothing, tables, and personal items to the garage or basement.
Bathroom – it needs to be spotless. Ensure that towels are crisp white and that you clear all of your everyday bathroom necessities off the countertops. Beautify the room with coordinating candles, soaps and flowers.
Bedrooms – whether it’s the master bedroom or the kid’s rooms, the bedding needs to always look freshly laundered. Invest in puffy, decorative pillows and place them on the bed over an inviting comforter. Remove nightstand paraphernalia, and organize and declutter closets.
Kitchen, breakfast areas, and the dining room table – remove everything from the countertops except for a couple of stylish items. Set the table and breakfast areas in an inviting way by laying centerpieces, candles, napkins, place settings and stemware.
Living room – when it really comes down to it, minimalism is the way to go. A couch, coffee table and beautiful floors are enough in most homes. If you have a very large room, an additional couch or loveseat, end tables, and a rug may be in order. If you have a wall unit, mantle or built-ins, make sure to treat each shelf as its own showpiece.
To find out more about how staging affects the perceived value and emotional impact of your home, contact me.
In general, the first quarter of 2013 has shown an increase in unit sales over the same period last year. Homes are selling for approximately 97% of their list price and we are starting to experience multiple offer situations on homes that are show ready and priced properly. Buyers are taking note of the perfect storm caused by low interest rates and finally stable home prices. As the local real estate market begins to rebound, I expect we will see values rise slowly. Unit sales will continue to climb, outpacing recent years.
Spring is here and I can’t think of a better way to get outside than to Run Like A Mother in Ridgefield! Community involvement has always been high on my list of priorities and I love giving back to the great town of Ridgefield after all it’s given me. Now in its sixth year, I’m proud to say that I’m still thrilled to be a lead sponsor of this wonderful event. As a mother, you give selflessly and tirelessly all year long. Run Like A Mother offers you the opportunity to participate in a day focused on you, allowing the other people in your life to give you the praise and encouragement you deserve. And you’re raising money to support local charities at the same time!
This year, I’m continuing to provide “Murtaugh’s Motivation Station” where friends and family can create inspiring posters or motivate you throughout your 5K. Available at package pick-up, or at my tent during the race, Murtaugh’s Motivation Station and Run Like A Mother are a part of my Mother’s Day tradition.
My longstanding business philosophy is to give back and empower the community I live in. My motto: Expert Representation, Exceptional Results. Come and join us on Mother’s Day May 12th and Run Like A Mother.
To register visit the Run Like A Mother website. You can also download a training calendar to get you started. And don’t forget to come by Murtaugh’s Motivation Station and say hello!
The luxury real estate market is almost a unique product in the modern economy. It behaves in a way that is atypical of other products. Christie’s International Real Estate reports in its 2012 market report ‘Luxury Defined’ that although luxury real estate remains “driven by global economic and political trends, the luxury property market continues to see activity that remains relatively impervious to these [economic trends] and more closely follows the luxury goods market”. For buyers today, this means that luxury real estate is not only an enjoyable experience for those that can afford it, but also a good investment.
Last year, the selling prices of luxury goods rose more quickly than the general economy. The Bain annual report of the state of the luxury market finds that the market for luxury products and services is experiencing steady growth. Compared to general U.S. housing prices, which are expected to increase only one or two percent a year, the luxury market is a top performer. “Luxury residential purchases, even trophy properties, can be considered a conservative investment,” Christie’s reports, just as real estate continues to be most individual’s way of storing money.
In Ridgefield, we are seeing a slow uptick in the number of luxury home sales in the $2 million plus range, resulting in five closed sales in 2012 compared with two in 2011. With interest rates still at record lows, and money cheap, it’s a great time to think about getting into the luxury real estate market.
You can download the full Christie’s International Real Estate ‘Luxury Defined’ market report here. For more information about my luxury listings, or to view all luxury properties in Ridgefield and greater Fairfield County, search the MLS. And don’t forget to sign up below to receive new properties directly to your inbox.
Despite the blizzard, Unit Sales for the month of February outpaced 2012 by nearly 6% and key indicators show that the market is improving. The Sales to List Ratio improved by 2.2% versus one year ago with homes selling at approximately 96% of their list price. Inventory is actually down 13% over the same period last year, bringing the Months of Supply down to 10.3%. Both the Median and Average Sales Price are down 21% and 28% respectively.
In summary, unit sales are continuing to climb and prices seem to have bottomed out, especially for certain price segments such as homes priced under $1,000,000 in a desirable location, updated and in good condition. We are also experiencing increased showing activity and, in some cases, multiple offers. As unit sales continue to improve and inventory starts to decrease values will slowly start to rise, provided the economy continues to show signs of improvement. With the stock market up in recent days, analysts are more positive with their outlook on the housing market. Real Estate is very local and if the launch of our Spring selling season is any indication, Ridgefield is on its way to the best season in years!
Compass CT
470 Main Street
Ridgefield CT 06877
203.856.5534
CompassCTBOR@compass.com
Licensed in the state of Connecticut & New York.
